County Parks Face Challenges

System Director Cites High Points Of 2005

It was a frantic 2005 for Broward County parks even before Hurricane Wilma hit, according to Parks and Recreation Director Bob Harbin, and the work pace only accelerated after the storm.

During his annual -- although in this case, hurricane-delayed -- "state of the parks" address to county parks staff, Harbin recently touched on last year's high points and cited challenges for 2006. His address normally is presented each fall.

Harbin said the county focused on 60 projects during the first nine months of 2005. Most were part of an attempt to complete improvements from a $400 million Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond passed in 2000. Then came Hurricane Wilma, which especially damaged trees at county natural areas, where canopies were denser.

"There was just no place for the wind to go," Harbin said.

The county operates 16 regional parks, five neighborhood parks, 32 natural areas and three nature centers. It employs 1,314 full-time, part-time and seasonal workers, many of whom attended the annual employee meeting at the Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood.

Harbin's main points:

Central Broward regional park development: The completion date for a 57.5-acre area in Lauderhill that features a cricket stadium has been moved from late 2006 to March 2007, partially because of Hurricane Wilma, Harbin said. The park's cost of $60 million is being partly defrayed through a $5.8 million Florida Communities Trust grant.

Continued annexation: In 2005, the county turned over operation of some neighborhood parks because they were no longer in unincorporated areas. Oakland Park took control of the North Andrews Community Center; West Park operates Mary Saunders Park; and Lauderhill now oversees St. George Community Park, Parkway Middle School recreation areas and West Ken Lark Park. The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division also yielded control of McTyre Park in Pembroke Park to the Broward County YMCA.

Topeekeegee-Yugnee Park improvements: The Hollywood park is scheduled to undergo a $10 million makeover this year. Improvements are planned for the entryway, walking paths and camping area. The swim lagoon at the park's Castaway Island also would be replaced this year. The project would be financed through the 2000 bond.

Vista View Park improvements: The county received a $5.8 million Florida Communities Trust grant to help pay for improvements at the 211-acre site in west Davie.

Meanwhile, the county will have increased responsibilities as more land is purchased through the bond program, Harbin said. The county has bought 256 acres of green space and conservation land and 660 acres of open space and park space in the past five years, and Harbin said the Broward parks division must oversee those acquisitions.

"The parks division will be vital in managing these very delicate lands," Harbin said. "We see a continued and heightened interest in the environment."

Nick Sortal can be reached at nsortal@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7906.

Honored employees

The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division also gave out honors during its annual employee meeting.